HF 3627

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/29/2018 04:20pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; requiring the commissioner to update the 2007
legislative report on runaway and homeless youth.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. 2018 REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON RUNAWAY AND
HOMELESS YOUTH.

Subdivision 1.

Report development.

The commissioner of human services shall update
the information in the 2007 legislative report on runaway and homeless youth. In developing
the updated report, the commissioner must use existing data, studies, and analysis provided
by state, county, and other entities including:

(1) Minnesota Housing Finance Agency analysis on housing availability;

(2) Minnesota state plan to end homelessness;

(3) continuum of care counts of youth experiencing homelessness and assessments as
provided by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-required coordinated
entry systems;

(4) biannual Department of Human Services report on the Homeless Youth Act;

(5) Wilder Research homeless study;

(6) Voices of Youth Count sponsored by Hennepin County; and

(7) privately funded analysis, including:

(i) nine evidence-based principles to support youth in overcoming homelessness;

(ii) return on investment analysis conducted for YouthLink by Foldes Consulting; and

(iii) evaluation of Homeless Youth Act resources conducted by Rainbow Research.

Subd. 2.

Key elements; due date.

(a) The report must include three key elements where
significant learning has occurred in the state since the 2007 report, including:

(1) unique causes of youth homelessness;

(2) targeted responses to youth homelessness, including significance of positive youth
development as fundamental to each targeted response; and

(3) recommendations based on existing reports and analysis on what it will take to end
youth homelessness.

(b) To the extent data is available, the report must include:

(1) general accounting of the federal and philanthropic funds leveraged to support
homeless youth activities;

(2) general accounting of the increase in volunteer responses to support youth
experiencing homelessness; and

(3) data-driven accounting of geographic areas or distinct populations that have gaps in
service or are not yet served by homeless youth responses.

(c) The commissioner of human services shall consult with and incorporate the expertise
of community-based providers of homeless youth services and other expert stakeholders to
complete the report. The commissioner shall submit the report to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over youth homelessness
by December 15, 2018.